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Happy New School Year, Roadrunner Families!
This is one of my favorite messages to share each year because it means the start of a new school year is almost here. We are incredibly excited to welcome our Roadrunners back to Great Falls ES and begin another year of learning, growing, connecting, and building something amazing together. We can’t wait to see our students back in the halls and classrooms of GFES!
🍦New Family Playdate🍦
Wednesday, August 19 on the playground
9:30 - 10:00 Montessori Preschool Families
10:00 - 11:00 New Families
🏫GFES Open House🏫
Thursday, August 20
11:00 - 11:30: Montessori Preschool Families
12:00 - 12:45: Families with last names A – L
1:00 - 1:45: Families with last names M – Z
Come visit, meet your teacher(s), and drop off school supplies!
Supply lists can be found on our website.
🚌First Day of School🚌
Monday, August 24
📚Back to School Nights📚
Tuesday, September 1
(For Parents/CareGivers Only)
Tuesday, September 1, from 5:30-6:45 pm (grades K, 1, 2, 3)
Wednesday, September 2, from 5:30-6:45 pm (grades 4, 5 & 6)
** Montessori and JIP classrooms will have times sent by teacher **
📅Labor Day Break📅
Friday, September 4 and Monday, September 7
FCPS School Year Calendar for 2026-2027
🎒Early Release Wednesday🎒
Great Falls ES will release students at 12:35 pm. As we continue to focus on attendance at Great Falls ES, we hope you will consider making doctor and other appointments on these afternoons when possible.
September 30
November 18
January 13
April 7
FCPS has created this webpage to provide detailed information about the early release Wednesdays.
2026-2027 Updates
👀Download ParentVUE (New) Today!
A new ParentVUE mobile app will become available in the Apple and Google app stores. This new app provides parents and caregivers with a more secure sign-in. The current “classic” app will remain active for about six months. Families must download the new app by December 2026 to ensure they have continued mobile access to their child’s school data.
In the new app, families can enroll in multi-factor authentication (MFA) for FCPS Single Sign-On. While enrollment is optional, we strongly recommend that everyone enable this security feature.
Learn more about installing the new ParentVUE app. Parents needing assistance should submit a Parent Support Request.
💻Sign the Online Verification Update (OVU) Today!
1) Download the NEW ParentVUE app or log on via the FCPS webpage.
2) After logging in, select "Online Packets or Online Registration" at the top of the page.
3) Scroll all the way to the bottom to select OVU (Online Verification Update).
Follow instructions from there to update for each child(ren). All updates should be completed to receive students' homeroom class placement information on August 20.
📚School Supplies
School supply lists can be found here for families who did not purchase a school supply kit through our PTA this year. Please bring supplies to classrooms during Open House or on the first day of school.
🍎 Class placement
Class placement assignments will be official and available in SIS (ParentVue) on Thursday, August 20. We are continuing to place students in classes. Please do not call our front office or email our staff members for this information prior to Open House on Thursday.
🚌Transportation Communication
Bus routes are set to be updated through SIS ParentVue (New) on or around August 14, 2026.
📑Parent Handbook
Please take some time to review our Great Falls Family Handbook before the first day of school. We will also have paper copies at Open House as well. We want to provide our families with this resource as it will help assist you with pertinent information regarding the 2026-2027 school year.
🏥 School Clinic Update
Our clinic will be open to drop off medications during the following dates and times:
Wedesday, August 18 | 1:00–3:30 PM
Wednesday, August 19 | 1:00–3:30 PM
Thursday, August 20 | 8:30 AM–3:30 PM
Friday, August 21 | 8:30 AM–3:30 PM
Medications may also be dropped off during Open House; however, we strongly encourage families to use the times listed above to avoid long wait times. Please remember that all medications must be accompanied by the required forms, which can be found here.
🚌New Student ID Cards Coming
FCPS is launching a new bus navigation system that includes student ID cards for bus riders. Students will use the cards to tap on and off the bus, helping FCPS and families know exactly which students are riding which buses.
Learn more about the new system and how it will improve route efficiency, safety, and transparency with families. Check out the frequently asked questions for families.
🏫Join Our PTA!
Our PTA is an essential partner in making Great Falls ES the amazing school community it is. We simply could not provide the same experiences and opportunities for our students without the strong collaboration and involvement of our families and staff. We encourage every family to join the PTA and be part of the partnership that makes GFES such a special place to learn and grow.
🍔Apply Today for Free and Reduced-Price Meals!
According to the Centers for Disease Control, eating breakfast at school is associated with better attendance rates, fewer missed school days, and better test scores. Studies show that students who eat both school breakfast and lunch tend to have healthier diets than those who don't participate in school meals.
Families who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals can receive breakfast and lunch for their students at no cost or at a reduced cost. This includes more than one-third of FCPS students. Families must complete the Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM) application before the start of each school year. Approved applications may also qualify students for additional benefits.
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